Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 11/85 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-018902
AVENGERS #261
Kang's Council of Cross-Time Kangs storyline continues, John Buscema cover and art
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | November 1985 | Copper | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-018842 | ~9.2 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-018902 | ~9.2 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-019356 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-019391 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-022084 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-019482 | ~8.5 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
The cover shows strong, glossy color with no visible spine stress, ticks, or corner blunting; edges appear tight and square with no chipping. Slight glare from the protective sleeve obscures fine surface detail, and the barcode/indicia area needed to confirm newsstand vs. direct edition is not visible in this crop. No creases, stains, or color breaks are apparent on the front cover; interior pages and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $6 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $55 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #261 (November 1985) arrived during Roger Stern's celebrated run on the title, with art by John Buscema and inks by Tom Palmer. The issue is part of the multi-issue Kang saga that ran through Avengers #262-269, in which the time-traveling conqueror's many alternate selves converge, setting up the storyline that would culminate in the classic Avengers #267-269 arc. Stern and Buscema's collaboration during this period is well regarded among Bronze-to-Copper Age Avengers readers for its plotting and character work, though this particular chapter functions as connective tissue rather than a landmark single issue.
The book's market profile reflects a well-produced, well-collected mainstream Copper Age title without a first appearance, death, or other headline event to drive premium demand. Certified sales cluster modestly across the grade spectrum, with high-grade copies trading in the tens of dollars and a thin but active population at the 9.8 tier. Demand is steady rather than speculative, driven mainly by Avengers-run completists and Stern/Buscema fans filling out the Kang saga rather than by casual investors chasing a key.
This is a book that trades predictably: raw copies in lower grades are inexpensive filler for long-box collectors, mid-grade raw copies see modest interest from readers assembling the full storyline, and CGC 9.8 slabs command a real but limited premium among condition-census chasers. It is best positioned in a dealer archive as a solid supporting piece within a broader Avengers Bronze/Copper Age run rather than as a standalone investment-grade key.
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